Republicans’ Turn in the Barrel

The volatile polls have swung against the GOP. But there is room for recovery.

With the last primary in New York this Thursday, the 2018 general election is fully under way. Let’s take stock of the political landscape as the contest enters its final eight weeks.

President Trump’s approval rating in the Real Clear Politics average is 40.6%, while 53.6% disapprove. That’s a deterioration from 43.6% and 51.8% in late August. The explanation is hardly a secret: Mr. Trump recently received a barrage of bad news, including the plea deal of his former personal lawyer, the conviction of his former campaign manager,...